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It appeared early that Tennessee State may run away with the game early but Gardner Webb nearly fought back before critical late scores from Tennessee State proved to be the difference as the Tigers were able to defeat the Bulldogs 23-20.
In so many of our previews this season, it has been stressed for the need for Tennessee State to get off to a good start. In this game, the offense did just that. Gardner-Webb seemed to shy away from kicking
to CJ Evans, opting to short kick, which in part helped TSU set up at their 35-yard line. Tennessee State marched 65 yards in 9 plays, getting in the end zone on a 23-yard screen pass from Draylen Ellis to CJ Evans that put the Tigers up 7-0 with the successful PAT.
After forcing a three-and-out on Gardner-Webb’s first possession, Tennessee State was able to drive 82 yards in 12 plays, adding another score when Ellis connected with Bryant Willams on a 17-yard scoring toss that put TSU up 13-0. The ensuing PAT attempt was blocked by Caleb Borders and then scooped up by Miles Richardson who returned it 98 yards for 2 points for Gardner Webb.
Getting the ball back after the TSU touchdown, GWU embarked on an 18-play, 75-yard drive that was dead in the water, facing a 3rd and 32 but was given new life, and a fresh set of downs, by a personal foul. The Bulldogs capitalized on the second chance, reaching pay dirt when Carson Gresock punched it in from 5 yards out to trim the lead to 13-9, with the converted extra point.
A 49-yard field goal attempt off the foot of Jay Billingsley sailed wide right, leaving the score at 13-9 heading into halftime.
A 5-play 26-yard drive drew GWU within a point when Billingsley converted a 40-yard field that brought the count to 13-12.
Following three offensive possessions that produced one first down, a 61-yard completion to Jalal Dean put TSU at the Gardner-Webb 2-yard line. Three plays later, Jaden McGill plunged in from a yard out; the successful extra point to bring the score to 20-12.
Tennessee State added to their advantage via a 13-play, 72-yard drive that ended when James Lowery connected on a 30-yard field goal that extended the TSU lead to 23-12. Continuing to show fight, Gardner-Webb was able to get back in the end zone on Edward Saydee’s one-yard run. Camden Overton came down with Tyler Ridell’s jump ball to convert the two-point conversion, pulling GWU to within a field goal at 23-20.
With no timeouts and just 1:41 left in the contest, Gardner-Webb’s hopes to tie or win rested on recovering the onside kick that everyone in Spangler Stadium knew was coming. Tennessee State recovered the kick and was bereft of timeouts, GWU was powerless to stop the clock, as all Tennessee State needed was to line thrice in the victory formation to secure the win.
The victory, which Tigers’ coach Eddie George said his team had to “dig deep and go get” moves Tennessee State to 8-3 on the season. The program hasn’t compiled this many marks since racking up a 10-4 record in 2013. At 5-2 in the Big South-OVC, TSU is in a three-way tie for second in the conference, along with UT Martin and Tennessee Tech,
Tennessee State returns home next week to face conference leader Southeast Missouri in the season finale.
